"What to pack?"
However much you pack, it'll be too much! But don’t let that deter you, as girls in particular will want a variety of outfits... and shoes... for dinners, costumes for theme nights and appropriate clothing for any excursions or side trips. Even though you may be naked all day, you'll still want to dress up at night – just remember to keep it sexy and flirty.

A few other tips... pack some bug spray, as many beach resorts get a few mosquitos or no-see-ums in the evening. Many people lose their sunglasses in the whirlwind of social activities, so bring a spare. Hats, sunscreen and a good digital camera go without saying. Girls, here’s a tip – since I don’t like constantly taking my swimsuit on and off, I simply bring a big piece of fabric and use it as a wrap when walking from my room to the beach, or to cover up a little when having lunch.

Pretending you’re still in the office? No worries, as many resorts now have wireless internet access on the property. So you can sit au natural with your laptop, waves lapping at the shore, while your co-workers think you’re incredible for telecommuting from home while on sick leave. Check with your resort on this. And it’s absolutely no problem taking your laptop through customs, regardless of the countries you'll be visiting (I do it all the time, all over the world).

Visa’s, on the other hand, are rarely required except in Africa, a few middle eastern countries, and other countries who are not on good terms with the US. If you’re going to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, or Australia it’s not something you need to worry about. If in doubt, ask the resort if you need a visa to enter the country.

Resort takeover vs regular?
Various Lifestyle clubs and groups “takeover” a resort from time to time. These groups cater to a wide variety of people and interests – there’s the “young and beautiful” crowd, there’s the “older and really fun” crowd, there’s the “Harley riders” group and the “scuba divers” group, there’s the “swingers from the Northeast” group, etc, etc. Some takeover’s are partial, and some are for the entire resort.

What should you do? Personally, I love take-over’s because it gives me a sense of who’s going. I look over the groups in the Parties & Events list, check their websites to see what they are all about, and decide from there. The downside of going during a takeover is if you don’t really mesh with the group (I, for instance, don’t ride Harley’s or scuba dive), but by choosing carefully that’s never happened.

On the other hand, going during a non-takeover week can be a lot of fun as you'll meet a wide variety of people from all over the world. So whatever you decide, you'll have a great time!

How are the restaurants?
Surprisingly good! There is usually great variety in the menu, and the staff work very hard to create dishes the guests will enjoy. Many resorts have several restaurants to chose from, so you can sample different cuisine every night. In all my trips I’ve never felt the need to abandon the resort at night due to the food.

Thoughts on being naked?
Never been naked on a beach or around a lot of people before? We girls worry about our thighs or hips, or that little patch of cellulite that to us looms large every time we look in a mirror. Guys worry less about their beer gut and more about how they “compare” to other guys, or if they'll get a hard-on in front of people.

Okay, now that I’ve said that... let it all go. Really, nobody cares. Will there be some young hardbody’s there? Yeah, probably one or two, but even they know they’re freaks. 99.9% of everyone is imperfect. You will find, very quickly, that being naked with other people is no big deal, in fact it’s quite liberating. Within a few minutes you'll laugh at your previous concern. And if your guy does sport a little wood? Either he can roll over until it subsides or you can ask the hot wife of the couple you just met take care of it for him ;)

What about valuables and room safes?
First and foremost, leave the wedding rings and gold watches at home. Not that there are problems with hotel staff (I’ve never heard of any), but things can easily get lost in the ocean, in the pool, on beach beds, in play areas, etc. Other than that, “yes”, the resorts always have a safe in the room for you to use (we usually put our passports and extra cash there).

Are there theme nights?
Most, but not all, resorts have established theme nights such as “toga”, “beach party”, “lingerie”, etc. Usually 75% of the guests come prepared and dress up, while 25% didn’t think about it ahead of time and so aren’t in theme. It’s just all in fun, and so doesn’t really matter one way or another, though you will meet more people and have more fun if you participate. Check the resort’s website to see what theme nights they have.

Do we have to “play”?
Of course not. Many people are just there to sit in the sun and be social, others simply like to watch. As always, “no” means “no” in the Lifestyle, and it isn’t taken personally.

And if you do want to play? Go for it! Though unless you’re part of a takeover where you know people pretty well, you'll find that you probably won’t play as much as you’d think. Oh don’t get me wrong, you'll hook up with some amazing couples and play ‘til the sun rises, but only a few times. It can take a little while to meet people, hang out on the beach, have dinner, dance in the disco and let the sexual tension build. So set your expectations accordingly, relax and you'll have the time of your life.

Should we plan on any off-site excursions?
Many resorts are in areas that have wonderful cultural and sports excursions you can enjoy. In Cancun, for instance, we’ve seen the Mayan ruins, we’ve swam with dolphins, and we’ve wandered the shops of “5th Avenue” in Playa Del Carmen (and friends go over to Cozumel for scuba diving). In Cabo we’ve ridden ATV’s on the beach, gone surfing in Todos Santos and jet skiing at Los Arcos.

So check a guidebook about the city or region you'll be in. You may decide to sit on the beach and never leave the resort, or you might head out on some incredible off-site adventure. Regardless, advance planning is rarely needed as the concierge at your resort will be happy to help you.

How much, if at all, should we tip the staff?
It may say “all inclusive”, and perhaps even “no tipping”, but there are folks you should still tip. The bellman who helps with your luggage (approx $2.50 per bag), the concierge ($5 - $10 for dinner reservations, $20 or more for logistical help or special errands), housekeeping ($5 per day, more if you’ve been especially messy) and – most importantly – the waiter on the beach or by the pool who keeps a steady flow of beverages heading your way ($20 - $50 for the week; my advice is to hand him at least a $20 the first time he/she brings you a drink, it’s money well spent!).

Do we need to rent a car, or will the resort pick us up at the airport?
Rental cars are usually a waste of money as you'll spend the majority of time at the resort. Check with the resort ahead of time to set up transfers, they have it down to a science. If you need a car for a days excursion, the concierge will be happy to have one brought to the resort for you.